Ohlins owners....

[johnT]

When you bought your Ohlins or other aftermarket shocks,
How did you go about ordering rear springs?

I do 90% of my LT riding solo... and I am roughly 240 with gear.
BUT, add the wife on the back and she is another 130 with gear...

so do I order a spring for 240 or 370 ? I reckon if I get the spring set for me solo, I can crank up the preload as needed...

be interested in your set up.

I need to get springs bad this winter.... stock shocks with the preload cranked all the way, I'm still scrapin hard parts...

thanks.
-john T

[fpmlt]

John,
My new shocks are still sitting on the shelf, waiting to be put in. I asked all the same questions as you, and finally got hold of Ted Porter at The Beemershop. He answered all my questions, and since he sells both Ohlins and Wilbers, he was able to give quite a bit of information.
I chose Wilbers, and had him set them up for the majority of riding: two up with luggage. And he showed me how to adjust for solo riding. According to Ted, the Wilber has about 200 pounds of preload change just with the hydraulics. More than enough to help me change back and forth.
I'd very strongly suggest that you give him a call or e-mail him. No doubt he can get you set up.
Frank

[katnapinn]

Get in contact with KYLE RACING (http://www.kyleusa.com/) , E-mail them with your Phone number & bike info. Dan Kyle will call you to get all the other info they need to set up the shocks to fit you & your riding style. They do a great job. I had my shocks in less then a week for under $1300.00 shipped to my door.

[johnT]

. According to Ted, the Wilber has about 200 pounds of preload change just with the hydraulics. More than enough to help me change back and forth.

Frank

just the info I was looking 4
thanks for the PM / info.

Kyle racing, yes.. Dan is great. I bought a set of Ohlins for my Kawasaki ZRX1200 from him.

I am very happy with them. But I think I would possibly like to try the Wilbers...
seems a lot of riders are very happy with them..

need to call Ted one of these days.
thanks.

[tarheel_rider]

For what it's worth, if you go with the Ohlins, I'd suggest the lighter springs. I've got 30# on you and went with the heavier springs and the ride is quite stiff. While I love the performance, my wife finds the ride rougher and doesn't want to spend as long of time in the saddle as a result.

[SEG]

What about Hyperpro? I had Wilburs on my previous bike, a Moto Guzzi. The springs were ordered for two-up and my wife complained that the ride was too harsh. And riding solo, it was jarring. Eventually, I'd like to get aftermarket shocks for the LT, but I'd like to retain the silky smooth ride that my wife enjoys. She is willing to join me for the long trips and I'd like to keep it that way.
Scott
NYC

[johnT]

you know...

concerning a harsh ride, Be sure you have your settings correct.
spring preload
compression and rebound settings.

this is VERY important.

you will be very disapointed with any aftermarket shocks if they are not dialed in right.

here is a great video... mostly for track, but the principles are the same for street riding.
http://www.feelthetrack.com/dvd.html

[Ted Shred]

When you bought your Ohlins or other aftermarket shocks,
How did you go about ordering rear springs?

I do 90% of my LT riding solo... and I am roughly 240 with gear.
BUT, add the wife on the back and she is another 130 with gear...

so do I order a spring for 240 or 370 ? I reckon if I get the spring set for me solo, I can crank up the preload as needed...

be interested in your set up.

I need to get springs bad this winter.... stock shocks with the preload cranked all the way, I'm still scrapin hard parts...

thanks.
-john T

I've put Ohlins on both my LT's. At 240 solo you're probably going to get the heaviest spring anyway and the hydraulic pre load will compensate for the occasional passenger. Call Dan Kyle and mention this site for a discount and you'll have them in under a week. Enjoy :-)

[SEG]

I had my Wilbers dialed-in; I stopped by Klaus's a few times and he confirmed that I had the shocks dialed-in appropriately. Klaus's opinion was that the springs were just too heavy and I was ready to replace the springs with a lighter set, but then sold the bike. I had the high/low speed, compression adjustments down for solo and 2-up riding, but it came down to springs that were too stiff. Unfortunately, there was no remote preload for my old Moto Guzzi, but there probably is for the LT. It would have been easier with a remote preload adjustment. When it comes time to replace the OEM, I'll probably try Ohlins or Hyperpro, but I'll do some research on the Wilbers for the LT. Thanks for the advice.

you know...

concerning a harsh ride, Be sure you have your settings correct.
spring preload
compression and rebound settings.

this is VERY important.

you will be very disapointed with any aftermarket shocks if they are not dialed in right.

here is a great video... mostly for track, but the principles are the same for street riding.
http://www.feelthetrack.com/dvd.html

[katnapinn]

I've put Ohlins on both my LT's. At 240 solo you're probably going to get the heaviest spring anyway and the hydraulic pre load will compensate for the occasional passenger. Call Dan Kyle and mention this site for a discount and you'll have them in under a week. Enjoy :-)
Ted I go 240 also & Dan Kyle told me the heavy spring was too much. He put the standard spring on mine & it ride as smooth as stock but handles 100% better then stock shocks.

[Ted Shred]

Ted I go 240 also & Dan Kyle told me the heavy spring was too much. He put the standard spring on mine & it ride as smooth as stock but handles 100% better then stock shocks.


He's the expert. I suggest calling him anyway.